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Leadership for the Americas LEADERSHIP FOR THE AMERICAS 2019–2020 REPORT The Inter-American Dialogue engages our network of global leaders to foster democratic governance, prosperity, and social equity in Latin America and the Caribbean. Together, we work to shape policy debate, devise solutions, and enhance cooperation within the Western Hemisphere. COVER PHOTO: Santiago, Chile - September 2020. Photo by José Tomás Donoso Krauss. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) gives remarks at the opening reception for the Linowitz Forum at the Colombian Embassy Residence on June 27, 2019. 1 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Friends, 2019 and 2020 were among the most tumultuous two years in recent memory At a time when countries are turning inward, cooperation and collaboration in the Americas. At the end of 2019, street protests roiled cities around the are more crucial than ever. The recovery will be long and difficult, but it is in world. Latin America and the Caribbean experienced high levels of social this challenge that the Dialogue sees a great opportunity to do things better. upheaval. Political crises and mass street mobilizations broke out in Haiti, We can work to rebuild systems that focus on the most vulnerable, prioritize Honduras, Ecuador, Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, and elsewhere. The region-wide health and education, and reinvigorate multilateralism. The Dialogue is well turmoil stemmed from distinct causes, reflecting an array of persistent positioned to make a significant difference and have a strong impact. For problems, more salient in some countries than others: economic stagnation, almost four decades, we have worked tirelessly to strengthen democratic precarious social mobility, inequality, politicized judiciaries, corruption, crime, practices and the rule of law and improve the plight of marginalized peoples and in a few cases, authoritarian rule. Failure to address these problems — and in the region. to fulfill promises that had been made — deepened discontent and further I am pleased and proud to present just a few of our accomplishments during eroded the legitimacy of many governments in the eyes of their citizens. 2019 and 2020. Our Venezuela Working Group identified and advanced In 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic upended all of our lives, affecting healthcare solutions to the country’s political and humanitarian crises, the most acute in systems, financial markets, economies, politics, and social well-being. the Americas. Our Working Group on Technology and Innovation in Education The nations of Latin America and the Caribbean were hit particularly hard, developed an agenda focused on quality learning experiences, effective experiencing a disproportionate share of Covid-19 infections and deaths. The teaching, and efficient management. That 154 million children in Latin America pandemic laid bare the structural challenges facing these countries: weak and the Caribbean were suddenly unable to attend school because of the healthcare systems, profound social inequality, and massive job informality. Covid-19 pandemic made the group’s efforts even more urgent. Through Much of the progress in development goals achieved in recent years risks partnerships with financial institutions, remittance companies, and diaspora being reversed. groups, the Dialogue has developed programs to build assets, promote investment in social capital, and strengthen the knowledge economy in In the United States, the unconscionable murder of George Floyd in May 2020 Guatemala. With our China–Latin America Finance Database, we remain was yet another wake-up call about the systemic problems, such as deep- among the few institutions disseminating credible data on Chinese finance seated racial injustice, that persist in the United States. The tragic incident in Latin America and the Caribbean. By digging beyond the headlines and sparked nation-wide protests, an expression of civic participation and outrage analyzing the reasons for deforestation across the Amazon region, the over legitimate, long-standing grievances. In some cases, mostly peaceful Dialogue has heightened public understanding and clarified policy choices protests were met with repression, excessive use of force, and militarization about what is possibly the region’s overriding environmental challenge. of public security. Such responses alarmed citizens of democratic conviction, sparking unrest in the United States and worldwide. I would like to thank the Dialogue’s staff for their superb job, innovative thinking, and valuable contributions. Their resourcefulness, passion, The abdication of US leadership regarding the pandemic in Latin America openness, generosity of spirit, sense of common purpose, and rigor keep us revealed the fundamental indifference of the Trump administration toward moving forward. I am also very grateful to our dedicated Board of Directors, the region. The damage to US–Latin American relations will not be quickly or our distinguished members, and the many donors and supporters who make easily repaired. Although it is not clear what the new Biden-led Democratic our work possible. US administration will mean for Latin America policy, a shift toward greater cooperation and multilateralism is likely. One can also expect greater With deep gratitude and warmest regards, emphasis on human rights and democracy, which will be seen not only as values that need to be fostered, but also as a US national interest. Michael Shifter BIENNIAL REPORT 2019–2020 2 MESSAGE FROM THE CO-CHAIRS Dear Friends, It is with great pleasure that we present this report of the Inter-American Dialogue’s work and accomplishments in 2019 and 2020. It has been a distinct honor to preside over such a demanding, creative, and productive period in the Dialogue’s history. This past year posed unprecedented challenges for the world, the hemisphere, and the Dialogue. Our staff has proven to be resilient, resourceful, and imaginative as the Dialogue successfully pivoted to the new circumstances, providing relevant and informed analysis on the impact of the pandemic in the region — while continuing superb work across the many fields of our common endeavor. We thank each of our supporters for recognizing the Dialogue’s valuable contributions to hemispheric affairs. In the years ahead, inter-American relations will face many challenges — along with opportunities for further Michael Shifter, President of the Inter-American Dialogue, progress. As the Dialogue looks forward, we must focus on how to with Laura Chinchilla and Tom Shannon, co-chairs of the Dialogue’s Board of Directors, during the book launch for make our efforts stronger and more effective within a rapidly changing Unfulfilled Promises: Latin America Today on March 5, 2019. global environment. We hope we can count on your continued engagement to ensure that the Dialogue is able to fruitfully carry out its mission, which is now more crucial than ever. With our thanks and best regards, Laura Chinchilla Thomas A. Shannon, Jr. 3 PROGRAMS PROJECTS PETER D. BELL RULE OF LAW GLOBAL TRENDS & FUTURE SCENARIOS Sustaining Democracy in Exploring Future Trends Challenging Times GENDER RIGHTS EDUCATION Championing Human Rights Building an Ecosystem for Education Innovation COMMITMENT TO EQUITY Reducing Inequality Worldwide MIGRATION, REMITTANCES & DEVELOPMENT Sustained Commitment to DIALOGUES ON THE HILL Inclusive Development Highlighting Regional Issues ASIA & LATIN AMERICA WORKING GROUP ON LATIN AMERICA Informing Trans-Pacific Policy Guiding Policy Cooperation ENERGY, CLIMATE CHANGE & EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES Confronting Climate Change OUTREACH & Covid-19 LEADERSHIP FOR THE AMERICAS AWARDS GALA CAF CONFERENCE CORPORATE PROGRAM Advancing the Mission PRESIDENTIAL SUMMIT SOL M. LINOWITZ FORUM PRESIDENT’S LEADERSHIP COUNCIL PROGRAMS PROJECTS 5 PETER D. BELL RULE OF LAW SUSTAINING DEMOCRACY IN CHALLENGING TIMES Photo Credit: www.jpereira.net, [email protected], Creative Commons BIENNIAL REPORT 2019–2020 6 Access to information, public participation, and an inclusive response are essential to the overall efforts to combat Covid-19. This is a time when, more than ever, governments need to be open and transparent, responsive, and accountable to the people they are seeking to protect. —MICHELLE BACHELET UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, speaking at an Inter-American Dialogue webinar on April 29, 2020. Photo: Suzanne Plunkett DEMOCRACY REMAINS THE RULE rather such as endemic corruption, police reform, and than the exception in the Americas, but the crisis in Venezuela, as well as emerging authoritarian strongmen, illiberal populists, challenges such as disinformation and and the corruption and unmet expectations democratic backsliding in the context of the that erode citizens’ faith in their governments Covid-19 pandemic. In media appearances, are increasingly threatening democratic congressional testimony, and public fora, governance. Against this complex backdrop, program experts analyze critical developments the Peter D. Bell Rule of Law Program in hemispheric relations, and the program’s identifies challenges, seizes opportunities, wide-ranging events, expert discussions, and and develops solutions to strengthen collaborations with policymakers, civil society PETER OF LAW D. BELL RULE democracy, human rights, transparency, groups, international organizations, and the and citizen security in the Americas. private sector underscore its value as a respected convening ground and an The program’s research, analysis, and policy indispensable resource. recommendations address ongoing challenges PROGRAMS
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